Vintage Takahashi Style “Gaman” Bird Pin/Brooch, store Sam Nagase Art, Sam Nagase Pin, Road Runner Brooch

This is a beautiful Takahashi style roadrunner bird pin/brooch. The item features a roadrunner bird brooch/pin that is part of an incredibly rare collection of hand carved bird pins by Sam Nagase. These bird pins were part of an art movement called “ Gaman” that developed in the Japanese internment camps from 1942 to 1946. In Japanese, the word gaman means, “enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.” This work demonstrates the resiliency of the creative mind: how people can create objects of beauty and meaning with humble materials under the most difficult circumstances.

The Nagase family, and the Takahashi family, carved these birds during their time in the same Japanese internment camp. While, the Takahashi family continued making and selling their birds after leaving the camp. Nagase family did not continue to make or sell their bird brooches after World War II.


The birds in our collection are all signed “Nagase” in Katakana. The artist, Sam Nagase was interned in the Colorado River/ Poston Parker facility. He and his family were originally from Santa Cruz California. The backing pin is attached using glue The entire collection was purchased from an estate of an 85 year old woman in Northern CA. This pin will make an inspired gift or wonderful addition to your personal collection. The brooch is signed.


Measurements: 2.125"H x 3.125"L

Origin: Japan

Age: C. 1945

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